Turtle Mountain

Turtle Mountain 

Trail rating: Easy with short steep sections

Walk beside an ancient lava flow wall above Downtown Vernon with an easterly panorama sweeping through Vernon. It's the best short trail (.7 km) orienting you to the city. This hot, dry hillside trail is shaded in the afternoon for a bit of respite in the hotter months. It's best enjoyed mid-morning till mid-afternoon in spring and fall. This is a section of the historic Grey Canal with old siphons found along the trail.

Park at the little trailhead parking lot on the right on Turtle Mountain Boulevard in the subdivision. *note there is a fairly steep but short trail section 

Look for: Trembling aspen and snowberries Blue Bunch Wheatgrass on the slopes and Ruffed Grouse in the grasslands.White flowered Saskatoon shrubs and wild sunflowers cover the hillside in spring. Lichen and Prickly Pear cactuses.

Watch for: hawks, magpies, swallows and other birds skirting the cliff edges. You might even spot a Northern Alligator Lizard, Terrestrial Garter Snake or the endangered Rubber Boa. Rare bats roost on these basalt cliffs.

There are two other trails to explore at Turtle Mountain for even more outstanding scenic views:

1. West of Turtle Mountain Boulevard -The flat .4 km trail is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers with expansive views of Mission Hill and the valley to Okanagan Lake with Terrace Mountain behind. Interesting interpretive signs explain the historic Grey Canal's formation and workings and how it hugged this corner. Dogs must be on leash.
   

2. Rocky Ridge Park - Follow the flat .4 km trail south behind Razorback Court to a wood stairway that takes you up to Rocky Ridge Park on a basalt knoll for an outstanding 360° view of Greater Vernon. It can get very hot and dry here. Watch out for Prickly Pear Cactuses. Not good for dog walking.

You can view the Turtle Mountain Trail map here.